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The Life Below
Cordelia Eaton, an orphan at just twelve-years-old, lives a quiet life in a quiet Virginia town with her grandmother. She feels isolated, bored, and most importantly dull – but soon discovers she is anything but. Her town whispers folklores about a family of eternal mermaids living in the depths of the sea, and Cordelia comes to realize these folklores are not only true but also that she is part of them. Her human parents have passed away, but instead of dying, they’ve transformed into mermaids and returned to the sea, where they live a forever life alongside the rest of their family, including Cordelia’s twin sister, who died at a young age.
As Cordelia comes to terms with this extraordinary realization of her heritage, she must decide whether to follow in her family’s footsteps, continue the Eaton bloodline, and find the way to the sea herself. But an unhappy childhood, filled with negligent parents and isolation, leaves her wondering: what’s the point of eternity if she’ll spend it alone?
The Life Below is a coming-of-age novel spanning multiple years that contemplates questions we all must face about our own destinies yet set against a lush, dreamlike backdrop of a magical world under the sea. Cordelia must face one of life’s greatest antagonists: isolation. She also learns truths often hide beneath the water’s surface.
As Cordelia comes to terms with this extraordinary realization of her heritage, she must decide whether to follow in her family’s footsteps, continue the Eaton bloodline, and find the way to the sea herself. But an unhappy childhood, filled with negligent parents and isolation, leaves her wondering: what’s the point of eternity if she’ll spend it alone?
The Life Below is a coming-of-age novel spanning multiple years that contemplates questions we all must face about our own destinies yet set against a lush, dreamlike backdrop of a magical world under the sea. Cordelia must face one of life’s greatest antagonists: isolation. She also learns truths often hide beneath the water’s surface.
155 pages, ebook
Published January 16, 2016
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 25, 2017
Spoilery, be warned!
Solid effort from a first-time author. It's a unique concept & a sweet story. I had pangs for the life Cordelia lived, her sadness, her numerous family loses, but enjoyed seeing her get a happily ever after of sorts.
The timeframe flowed, I liked the Evan storyline and the supernatural/fantasy aspect after Cordelia's grandmother died. Solidifying to Cordelia who she is meant to be and her destiny.
Things that Jones-Kipp could work on in the future: spelling/edits, character development (establish distinct voices through emotions, traits), & trusting her reader (often, dialogue following narrative said the exact same words, dialogue shouldn't repeat info a reader already knows.)
I was gifted this book for a review, my opinions are always honest despite receiving the book for free.
Solid effort from a first-time author. It's a unique concept & a sweet story. I had pangs for the life Cordelia lived, her sadness, her numerous family loses, but enjoyed seeing her get a happily ever after of sorts.
The timeframe flowed, I liked the Evan storyline and the supernatural/fantasy aspect after Cordelia's grandmother died. Solidifying to Cordelia who she is meant to be and her destiny.
Things that Jones-Kipp could work on in the future: spelling/edits, character development (establish distinct voices through emotions, traits), & trusting her reader (often, dialogue following narrative said the exact same words, dialogue shouldn't repeat info a reader already knows.)
I was gifted this book for a review, my opinions are always honest despite receiving the book for free.
May 23, 2016
Heather's voice is fresh and flows naturally - a welcome escape. Her characters are believable and realistic, but not overly tortured or tormented, which seems to be all the rage today. Instead, twelve year Cordelia is presented to the reader as a little girl who must confront death and family ties. The author is able to write with a child's voice - something not everyone can do.
The book opens with Cordelia in the midst of mourning her parents. While she may not understand them and the choices they made throughout her short life, she loved them and now struggles to understand her place in the world. As she learns more about her family's history, whispers of rumors swirl around her. Her parents haven't died, but become something else - something that shakes Cordelia to her foundations and forces her to confront very adult questions.
I really enjoyed this. It's different and refreshing - an unusual take on a coming of age story.
The book opens with Cordelia in the midst of mourning her parents. While she may not understand them and the choices they made throughout her short life, she loved them and now struggles to understand her place in the world. As she learns more about her family's history, whispers of rumors swirl around her. Her parents haven't died, but become something else - something that shakes Cordelia to her foundations and forces her to confront very adult questions.
I really enjoyed this. It's different and refreshing - an unusual take on a coming of age story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews